And we’ll show you two ways to help. Together, we can be a voice for change and protect Michigan’s land, air, water, public health, and democracy.
June 7th, 2019
On June 7, 2019, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 14 creating the new UP Energy Task Force. The group was assembled to address issues of energy access and affordability for Michiganders living in the Upper Peninsula, and to mitigate risk in the eventuality of an energy supply disruption if Line 5 is shutdown. The task force was created as an advisory body within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and includes 13 voting members appointed by the Governor. It will examine and presents solutions to an assortment of UP energy issues including high rates, energy efficiency, and lack of supply diversity. It also assess and catalogues current UP energy needs, formulates alternative energy provisioning systems, and explores new energy delivery methods tailored to the UP.
On September 11, 2019 The Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) released its final Statewide Energy Assessment called for by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The report identified near and long term steps the Commission and its staff will lead to ensure that Michigan’s systems for supplying and distributing energy to homes and businesses become more resilient and able to withstand weather extremes, aging infrastructure and other challenges ahead. The final report makes 37 recommendations and 15 observations to improve the state’s energy systems including improvement of Michigan’s demand response capability, energy efficiency programming, and the development of a formal contingency plan for continued supply and delivery of propane in the event of disruptions, including the shutdown of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac.